Chapter 344 - Cassius with Angelic Qualities

Muddled, indeed, it could be described as muddled.

He had wanted to test whether the Two-tone Roses' psychic abilities would work on him, so he had intentionally relaxed a bit, letting the Southern Dipper Sonic Snake Fist and the Southern Dipper Red Falcon Fist slightly synchronize their Qi.

To his surprise, when the Two-tone Roses went all out, they actually achieved some effect. They had completely drawn out both streams of Qi. His Killer Persona and Cold Persona had immediately weakened, allowing his Main Persona to regain dominance.

His mind reached a state of clarity and purity. At that moment, his Golem Covert Martial Arts had automatically activated, and Golem Qi replaced the Southern Dipper Qi to control his body, triggering his physical potential.

Cassius's consciousness had sunk into a strange state, and his body began moving on its own. He had devoured the two sisters without hesitation...

Fortunately, it wasn't in a literal sense.

A full four and a half hours had passed from 1:30 a.m. He didn't feel the least bit tired, but the two sisters couldn't endure any longer and had begged for mercy before falling asleep.

He had been rather gentle in his unconscious state, showing that his essence was quite gentlemanly. Otherwise, with Cassius's level as a top combat artist, coupled with his enhanced physique and triple muscle density, lasting a few days wouldn't have been a problem.

Not to mention, he still had three shining kidneys.

"My body still harbors human desires, a love for good food and beautiful women. It seems that no matter how much the Golem Covert Martial Arts reshapes my physique, at my core, I'm still human... Otherwise, I wouldn't have instinctively done that while unconscious." Cassius took a deep drag from his cigarette, slowly exhaling smoke, his resolve growing stronger.

As he came back to his senses, Cassius recalled the craziness from a few minutes ago. His dark eyes half-closed, as the corners drooped slightly. He turned to glance at the two fair-skinned bodies clinging to his sides, looking like two mermaids.

Their curves were graceful, and their lines even and smooth. The light shone on his arms draped over them, revealing their particularly delicate and glossy skin. Their slender, firm waists were half-covered, with flowing lines marked by a few red streaks.

This was Cassius's first time. It was also the first time for the Two-tone Roses.

Cassius considered himself a man of little emotional attachment. He could only connect with a very few people, most of them in a master-disciple or friendship context, formed through combat or training.

When it came to women and emotions, this was indeed his first experience. Though slightly inexperienced, he knew when to be decisive.

His relationship with the Two-tone Roses may have started in a muddled fashion, but it couldn't end the same way. Cassius found it hard to say words like "love" to the sisters, but protection and possession were absolutely certain.

He now considered the Two-tone Roses to be part of his inner circle. And Cassius was always dependable for those in his inner circle, like Instructor Lisa, Blood Fist Feng Liusi, and Saint Feinan. Though he was emotionally reserved, he wasn't heartless. If they were his women, he would take care of them.

Cassius quickly came to a decision. He gently reached out, placing his hands softly on the shoulders of the two beauties lying beside him. Their floral-scented golden and silver hair spread out like dense seaweed in the water.

Cassius delivered two Golem Seeds into the bodies of the Two-tone Roses. Compared to the other top executives in the Ace of Spades organization, these two Golem Seeds were much darker and deeper in color. They had clearly been refined to a significant degree. If Golem Seeds had ranks, these would be the highest level.

They were the ultimate limit to which Cassius could currently compress Qi. These Golem Seed were worth three ordinary ones.

Gradually, the Golem Seeds moved to their Dantian[1]. Cassius slowly closed his eyes, transmitting two streams of Undying-Rank life vibration energy into their bodies. It enveloped the Demon Seeds, radiating heat inside the sisters' bodies like a furnace.

Indestructible-Rank life vibration energy far surpassed Decay-Rank in both quantity and quality, and the Two-tone Roses' physiques were only slightly stronger than ordinary people. It would likely take them over half a month to fully absorb the life vibration energy.

Cassius thought that their physiques indeed needed strengthening. Once everything was finished, he slowly got up from the bed. He drew back the white curtains, revealing the blazing sunset outside. Golden-red flames licked at the clouds, stretching for thousands of miles, painting the horizon with beautiful streaks.

The searing red light filled his eyes, staining his deep blue pupils with a trace of red. Cassius's muscular frame was bathed in the fragmented golden light of the setting sun. He radiated a powerful, masculine beauty.

Suddenly, he felt as though what he had just done was like paying for services rendered. But on second thought, it seemed overly sensitive and sentimental. After all, it was all rather muddled, and if he didn't offer some real material compensation, should he rely on flowery words instead? Cassius felt that what he had done was just right.

"Huff..."

He slowly exhaled and closed the window. Whether it was the effect of the Two-tone Roses' psychic abilities or simply the result of doing such a thing for the first time, he now felt completely refreshed, as if his mind had been washed clean by pure water.

His state was much better than usual. His mood, too, was clearer and brighter.

"It's time to visit the North District Cemetery..."

Cassius drew the curtains and turned to head towards the washroom.

***

The next day, at 7:30 a.m.

Cassius woke up and gently moved the soft arms draped over his chest to the side. He lightly patted both sisters on their shoulders.

"Xiqin, Jill. Time to wake up..."

"Mmm..." Xiqin, the elder sister with golden hair, let out a lazy hum, her sultry tone tinged with a bit of raspiness.

On the other side, Jill also stirred awake. Her slender, smooth body shifted slightly upward, revealing a glimpse of her delicate, fair collarbone.

Her silver hair covered half of her face, and her drowsy expression carried an inexplicable cuteness that contrasted with her usual cold and aloof demeanor.

Ten minutes later, Cassius stood in front of a full-length mirror beside the carpet near the sofa, allowing Jill to drape a lightweight black coat over him. Meanwhile, Xiqin busied herself adjusting the collar folds of his shirt, her golden locks glimmering in the light.

Cassius didn't actually need their help, but Xiqin and Jill had insisted. Naturally, Cassius let them have their way.

After a minute, Xiqin stood dressed in a red, commanding outfit, her arms crossed over her chest. She looked pleased as she appraised the man standing before her.

He stood tall and straight. His features were handsome and cold, while his golden hair was radiant and commanding. There was no denying that Cassius had become incredibly striking after his transformation.

When Jill had first seen Cassius, she had immediately thought,

When did the top executives have such a handsome man?

Now, that handsome man had become hers.

Cassius was powerful, domineering, and mysterious. If you were his enemy, being around him would make you restless, like sitting on pins and needles, filled with unease. But once you became part of his inner circle, the overwhelming sense of security he provided could be intoxicating.

Jill and Xiqin both adored and were infatuated with that sense of safety.

"Let's go, we'll grab breakfast downstairs, then head to the North District..."

Cassius briefly glanced at the full-length mirror before slowly pulling out the silver pocket watch from his coat, unraveling the chain and hanging it around his neck.

***

At eight in the morning, in the central restaurant of Shuiyun Hall.

Cassius enjoyed a delicious breakfast while meeting with some of the top executives. He took the opportunity to issue orders and inquire about the progress of various matters.

By the time the meal and the briefings concluded, it was already half past eight.

After glancing at his pocket watch, Cassius left Shuiyun Hall, accompanied by Xiqin and Jill. A discreet, luxurious black car slowly accelerated away, followed by several other Black Cloud Sedans.

***

In the North District of Fengnan City, at the public cemetery.

The sky was clear and there was a light breeze on July 26, Year 156 of the Hongli Federation calendar. Sparse trees lined both sides of the road, their leaves gently swaying in the breeze. The vibrant foliage glimmered under the sunlight.

The sky was as clear and pure as if it had been scrubbed clean, painted entirely in shades of blue. A few wisps of clouds lingered at the edges of the sky, drifting lazily with the wind.

The vast green fields of the cemetery were covered in a layer of golden light, while the vegetation shimmered with a bright, fresh glow, giving off an air of life.

The atmosphere of the cemetery felt less desolate and gloomy.

A chapel with gray walls and a red-tiled spire stood as always in the center of the cemetery, reflecting the sunlight from its roof.

Dong!

A long, resonant bell echoed from the chapel above the cemetery.

Three figures stood silently in front of a tombstone to the left of the chapel. A few dozen meters away, some black-clad men stood with their heads lowered, occasionally glancing around.

"June 4th..."

The man in the trench coat murmured, a look of reminiscence in his eyes. He slowly bent down, gazing at the tombstone that had been erected not long ago. His fingers gently brushed across its surface.

Two simple lines were inscribed on it.

Cassius Carnegie.

Born in 131, died in 156.

His hand lingered over the word ‘died’, as if trying to erase the engraved word with his fingertips.

Cough cough cough... cough cough...

Suddenly, the sound of an old man's cough came from not far away.

Cassius looked up and saw a man in his seventies, leaning on a cane. His wrinkled yet kind face was all too familiar to Cassius. It was the old director of Peace Orphanage, a man full of justice, compassion, and kindness.

"Excuse me,

cough

, are you a friend of Cassius?" The elderly director asked as he hobbled over.

𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Cassius raised his hand slightly, gesturing for the gunmen from the Ace of Spades organization to stand down. He took a deep breath and quickly walked over.

He reached out to gently support the old director.

"Yes, I was a friend of Cassius. My name is Li Wei... That young man once helped me out greatly..."

Cassius lied. He didn't reveal his true identity to the old director. There were some things better left unsaid to ordinary people. Being in the shadows allowed him to act more freely.

Five minutes later, Cassius, still in the guise of a friend, chatted briefly with the old director and eventually steered the conversation toward the man's health.

"Director Lint, what's with your coughing?" Cassius asked.

The old director explained between coughs. "Ah, it's an old problem, from a cold I caught ten years ago..."

"I see," Cassius smiled. "I have a special medicine for lung diseases. If you take it for a while, it should completely cure you. I'll have someone deliver it to Peace Orphanage shortly. Cassius once did me a great favor. Now that I'm doing well, but he's no longer with us, I think I'll make regular donations to Peace Orphanage, for its upkeep and to cover the children's living expenses. What do you think?"

"Really? You're truly a kind-hearted person! You have such a benevolent spirit, like an angel," the old director said excitedly, attempting to bow in gratitude. But Cassius held him up with one hand.

"No need to thank me. If anyone deserves thanks, it's Cassius. He's the one with the benevolent spirit."

Cassius spoke calmly. The breeze blew gently across his thick-skinned face.

"Director Lint, the special medicine works quickly. Your cough will disappear in just a day or two, but don't stop taking it midway; you'll need to finish the entire course. I have some business to attend to, so I'll have my secretary and a few others escort you back..." Cassius turned and glanced at Xiqin.

Smart people naturally understood what needed to be done and how to behave. The Two-tone Roses sisters, Xiqin and Jill, were certainly not fools. After all, they were capable of running an underground organization.

Five minutes later, the elderly director was escorted to Peace Orphanage by Xiqin and the entire cemetery was locked down.

Moments ago, Cassius had quietly transmitted a portion of life vibration energy to the old director. It would be enough to heal his old injuries and even gradually rejuvenate his body by a few years.

***

At half past nine in the morning, in the West District of Fengnan City, at the public cemetery.

A well-dressed figure was dragged in by two burly men. His clothes were disheveled and his face was swollen. He was still struggling, but to no avail.

"Damn it! Do you know who I am?!" The face of the man with gold-rimmed glasses, though normally refined in appearance, was now contorted with rage. Blood was dripping from the corner of his mouth and his eyes were blazing with fury.

Smack!

A heavy slap landed on the man's left cheek.

One of the men restraining him sneered, "Aren't you a director at Huolu Antiques Company? Think I don't know? We're here for you, and for your entire Huolu Antiques Company. That small company of yours is likely under complete control of Ace of Spades by now..."

The burly man dragged the man by the collar in front of a gray tombstone.

"Kneel!"

Bang!

"Ah!"

"I said kneel, damn it!"

A brutal kick to the knee forced the man in glasses to the ground as he cried out in pain. Then, the burly man turned respectfully toward the man in the trench coat standing by the tombstone. "Sir, we've brought him..."

"Good." The blond youth turned, his expression cold as he looked down at the man in glasses like a lamb ready for slaughter.

"June 4th, a little over a month ago. The Kalenka Era ruins in the Camorra Mountains. The three antique specialists from Huolu Antiques Company were your subordinates? Was the plan yours?"

His voice had a chilling edge. The man in glasses felt a terrifying pressure slowly descending upon him. He momentarily forgot to struggle, as cold sweat poured down his forehead.

His gaze darted nervously, completely avoiding Cassius's eyes. Even a fool would sense that something was terribly wrong.

The blond youth sneered. Slowly, he extended his right hand, resting it on the top of the tombstone.

"Do you recognize this name? Cassius Carnegie..."

The man in glasses trembled as he seemingly recalled something. That name seemed vaguely familiar. It may have been a student from the University of Jersey's archaeology department who had been involved in that expedition. He had only glimpsed the name once.

The blond youth didn't wait for a response and continued, "You killed a man with a kind and angelic spirit. You forced him into darkness, until he was forever entangled with evil. He became twisted and violent. You forced him into becoming a monster!"

A hand suddenly shot out, gripping the man in glasses by the hair, and lifted him halfway off the ground.

Terrified, the man in glasses looked up, only to meet a pair of crimson eyes in a face as cold as steel. The barrel of a large-caliber pistol was pressed against his forehead.

"No..."

His plea was cut short. A bullet shattered his skull with a deafening

bang

.

The man's body collapsed onto the grass, and a voice drifted down from above.

"So, in the end, it's all your fault..."

1. a point two inches below the navel at the lower abdomen area, also known as the “sea of Qi” in traditional Chinese medicine ☜